Champions League: Portugal ‘increasingly likely’ to be new host of 2021 final

Portugal ‘increasingly likely’ to be new host of 2021 Champions League final between Chelsea and Man City after ‘UEFA and UK Government fail to overcome major obstacles’ in discussions to get European showpiece to Wembley stadium

  • Talks are ongoing to move the 2021 Champions League final away from Turkey 
  • UEFA had discussions with the UK Government on Monday about Wembley
  • Quarantine restrictions for the UK mean Portugal is seen as a ‘likely’ alternative

Plans to switch the 2021 Champions League final to Wembley Stadium have reportedly collapsed after talks between UEFA and the UK government ‘failed to overcome major obstacles’. 

The Government were asked to waive the requirement to quarantine on arrival in the UK for around 1,000 UEFA staff and broadcasters needed to put on the final but they are believed to have rejected any and all requests to do so. 

The Times report that as a result Portugal, specifically Lisbon, is now seen as ‘increasingly likely’ to host the event for a second successive season. 

Sportsmail understands UEFA agreed the Champions League final should move from Istanbul to the UK, but for that to happen the British government would have to create exemptions from quarantine rules to facilitate more than 1,000 VIPs and staff to attend the game. 

UEFA’s meeting with the UK Government to discuss the Champions League final is reported to have been unsuccessful due to quarantine rules on arrival into the UK for 1,000 UEFA staff

UEFA are under pressure to change venues for the final with Turkey named on the UK's 'red list'

UEFA are under pressure to change venues for the final with Turkey named on the UK’s ‘red list’

Sources say that UEFA accepted that the best option is to play the all-English final between Manchester City and Chelsea in England, but it would not back down on the attendance of its special guests.

‘If the game does not come to England now, it will be because the British government could not do what it needed to do,’ said a source with knowledge of the negotiations.

‘UEFA wants to move the game, but it is on the British government to make the effort.’

One solution would involve creating bubbles for visiting dignitaries and staff, but there is also some disquiet over the fairness of allowing VIPs to escape the rules the rest of the population must adhere too.

Manchester City and Chelsea will face off in the fixture, which was set to take place in Istanbul

Manchester City and Chelsea will face off in the fixture, which was set to take place in Istanbul

This is the political conundrum the government has been facing today.

With the UK government and UEFA struggling to reach an agreement over exemptions for VIP guests, Portugal has reportedly become a more attractive option. 

Portugal has been placed on the UK’s ‘green list’, which is expected to come into force from May 17. The Prime Minister Boris Johnson will give a statement this evening.

If the game was staged in Portugal, Chelsea and City fans would be free to travel to and from the match, which is on May 29, without significant restrictions. There would be no need to isolate on their return, although they would required to take a coronavirus test. 

More to follow.   

Discussions were held about Wembley Stadium hosting the all-English European final

Discussions were held about Wembley Stadium hosting the all-English European final